The United States Presidential Precinct has appointed Toyosi Ogunseye as its new president and chief executive officer (CEO).

Ogunseye, who is the second president and CEO of the organisation, takes over from Neal Piper, the founding director.

Jim Murray, the organisation’s founder and board chair, said Ogunseye’s appointment will guarantee a bright future for the Precinct.

“Toyosi’s experience combined with partnerships and resources that we have established over the past ten years will guarantee a bright future at the Precinct,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We began this search process by looking far and wide; little did we know that after six months of exhaustive outreach and networking, one of our own would be stepping in to lead.

“I am grateful for Toyosi’s longstanding commitment to the Precinct. We have much to look forward to.”

Commenting on her appointment, Ogunseye, who was a 2014 Mandela Washington Fellow, said she is honoured to lead an organisation that opened its doors to her nine years ago.

“I’m honoured to have this opportunity to lead such an impactful organization 9 years after I first walked through its doors,” she said.

“I look forward to innovative collaborations with our staff, Board, program alumni, and community partners in Williamsburg and Charlottesville.

“Working together, we will expand and elevate tools and resources that have distinguished the Presidential Precinct as a transformative public diplomacy organisation.”

Ogunseye has two decades of leadership experience in journalism, most recently serving as a senior news editor for news and commissioning at the BBC.

Prior to joining BBC, Ogunseye was the first female editor in the 50-year history of Punch Newspaper.

Ogunseye, who recently concluded her term as vice-president of the World Editors Forum, is a board member of the World Association of News Publishers.

[TheCable]